Pubdate: Sat, 19 Apr 2014
Source: Lompoc Record (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Lee Central Coast Newspapers
Contact: http://www.lompocrecord.com/contact/letter/
Website: http://www.lompocrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/242

FUNDS REQUESTED TO FIGHT DRUG PANGAS OFF CALIF.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) - The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's
Office wants money to fight drug-smuggling pangas that have washed
ashore the central coast in recent years.

Sheriff Ian Parkinson plans to ask county supervisors Tuesday to spend
nearly $500,000 in federal grants to buy a response boat and other
equipment.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports the response boat would be used to
take confiscated panga boats to Morro Bay for disposal.

A dozen panga boats have landed along the central coast the past two
years along with 10,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street
value of $8.8 million.

Sheriff's deputies currently don't have a quick way to remove the
vessels from the beach. The department also wants license plate
readers, night-vision goggles and a thermal imaging camera.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D